Other Is Apple 20w Charger ONLY a Fast Charger or Can Be Used All the Time?

[macher]

I know there’s discussion about the Apple 20w charger. I get to get the fastest charge the Apple 20w charger is recommend.

I don’t know if this question was asked....

Can you use the Apple 20w as your regular charger like charging overnight or is it only to be used for fast charging?

For instance since having my 12 Pro I’m down to about 50% at around 6 hours into my 8 hour work day. At this time I usually charge with the Apple 20w up to 80% - 100%. Then overnight I charge using the Apple 20w.

Thanks!

 

[iphonehype]

Yes you can, iOS 14 uses intelligent charging reducing the amount of power it takes past 80%..does a trickle charge. If you go to Setting - > Battery -> Health you will see optimising charging on by default.

 

[wi1dstar]

Isn’t the 20W usb-c charger block the smallest usb-c charging block sold and made by Apple? Wouldn’t make sense that you couldn’t use it all of the time if that is the case.

 

[4sallypat]

Why is it that charging at the fastest rate is the best ?

Is it a race to see who can charge their phones the quickest ??

I am in a subset that likes to charge slowly overnight on a dual 7.5W Qi mat.
My 11 has 99% life even after 14 months of use and that's because I charge slow overnight on my nightstand.
My XS Max has 100% charge capacity even after 2 years.

I do have the 18W, 29W, 61W, 87W, 96W, and 100W USB C chargers but I would only use them for a quick charge during travel or away from home.

 

[macher]

Why is it that charging at the fastest rate is the best ?

Is it a race to see who can charge their phones the quickest ??

I am in a subset that likes to charge slowly overnight on a dual 7.5W Qi mat.
My 11 has 99% life even after 14 months of use and that's because I charge slow overnight on my nightstand.
My XS Max has 100% charge capacity even after 2 years.

I do have the 18W, 29W, 61W, 87W, 96W, and 100W USB C chargers but I would only use them for a quick charge during travel or away from home.

Not a race to see who can charge the fastest. I bought and Apple 20w and have been using it to charge.

What I’m asking is should I buy the 5w or wireless charger to charge overnight?

 

[Blue Quark]

I'm kind of curious about this as well because this is applicable to any device with a modern rechargeable battery (i.e. lithium ion, lithium polymer, etc.)

It used to be that batteries simply got charged based on the charger and it wasn't an intelligent process. However, modern batteries are actually managed by the device to which they are connected, so it's not simply a matter of applying a voltage and et voila! you're charging the thing. However, on the other hand is also understood that you can't just keep the thing "plugged in" all the time, either.

Does anyone know if Apple's given any particular advice on this subject in general, much less with respect to the iPhone 12?

 

[macher]

Why is it that charging at the fastest rate is the best ?

Is it a race to see who can charge their phones the quickest ??

I am in a subset that likes to charge slowly overnight on a dual 7.5W Qi mat.
My 11 has 99% life even after 14 months of use and that's because I charge slow overnight on my nightstand.
My XS Max has 100% charge capacity even after 2 years.

I do have the 18W, 29W, 61W, 87W, 96W, and 100W USB C chargers but I would only use them for a quick charge during travel or away from home.

Just called Apple. With the 12 and 12Pro using the 20w charger won’t degrade battery any faster than the 5w charger. Reason is because it’s a ‘smart battery’. It knows when to put out and receive the voltage. It charges fast then will go down in w output.

 

[Woyly]

I have been using fast charging since iPhone X. honestly the best thing ever.
I now found myself charge my phone midday or in the morning and unplug it (11 Pro max) after charged to 80%-90%. it charges so slow anyways after hitting 80%. my battery is never 100% now.

I guess what I'm saying is you probably never have to leave it on overnight because it charges so fast now.

 

[JPack]

Use 5W to reduce heat. If the battery were so “smart” Apple wouldn’t need to tell consumers to remove cases during charging due to excess heat.

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

The 20W charger will generate heat and that’s simply not great for keeping battery capacity over the long term.

On the other hand, Apple wouldn’t mind the service revenue from consumers replacing batteries either.

 

[4sallypat]

Use 5W to reduce heat. If the battery were so “smart” Apple wouldn’t need to tell consumers to remove cases during charging due to excess heat.

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

The 20W charger will generate heat and that’s simply not great for keeping battery capacity over the long term.

On the other hand, Apple wouldn’t mind the service revenue from consumers replacing batteries either.

Yes, this is correct.

If you want faster battery replacements due to heat created by fast charging, then Apple will love you.

If you want to preserve the battery by slow charging, then Apple won't love you....

 

[macher]

Use 5W to reduce heat. If the battery were so “smart” Apple wouldn’t need to tell consumers to remove cases during charging due to excess heat.

Batteries - Maximizing Performance

Maximize the life and lifespan of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your MacBook, iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

www.apple.com

The 20W charger will generate heat and that’s simply not great for keeping battery capacity over the long term.

On the other hand, Apple wouldn’t mind the service revenue from consumers replacing batteries either.

If it generates excessive heat then Apple says to remove your phone from the case when charging. If there isn’t excessive heat then you’re good to go.

When I charge via USB C and Apple 20w there’s heat but I wouldn’t call it excessive.

Plus why would Apple only provide a USB C cable? Even if you wanted to charge with a 5w you couldn’t.

 

[Robbosan]

I’d be slow charging wireless overnight if you can, worked with my ip11 pro, was 100% after 13 months. Only when I travel did I use the 18w charger. Will do the same with my 12, got a 20w for free, pm me if you want to know how, should be included anyway, bs on the enviroment reason.
My 12 used 25% today lol.

 

[New York]

I'm kind of curious about this as well because this is applicable to any device with a modern rechargeable battery (i.e. lithium ion, lithium polymer, etc.)

It used to be that batteries simply got charged based on the charger and it wasn't an intelligent process. However, modern batteries are actually managed by the device to which they are connected, so it's not simply a matter of applying a voltage and et voila! you're charging the thing. However, on the other hand is also understood that you can't just keep the thing "plugged in" all the time, either.

Does anyone know if Apple's given any particular advice on this subject in general, much less with respect to the iPhone 12?

I've always made the same assumption that it's bad for battery health to have the phone plugged in all the time. Interestingly, I'm using an iPhone 6 with an ~18-month-old battery which has been plugged into a 5W charger most of the time for the last 8 months. I've been working from home and using the phone's hotspot for my computer internet access for up to 12 hours a day (and I keep it charging overnight too). The battery capacity is currently at 98%, which I'm pretty sure is what it was at the beginning of the lockdown.🤔

(I don't think the phone drains any faster now when I rely on just the battery either, although this is hard to judge as I don't use it without the charger very often).

 

[itsmilo]

I've always made the same assumption that it's bad for battery health to have the phone plugged in all the time. Interestingly, I'm using an iPhone 6 with an ~18-month-old battery which has been plugged into a 5W charger most of the time for the last 8 months. I've been working from home and using the phone's hotspot for my computer internet access for up to 12 hours a day (and I keep it charging overnight too). The battery capacity is currently at 98%, which I'm pretty sure is what it was at the beginning of the lockdown.🤔

(I don't think the phone drains any faster now when I rely on just the battery either, although this is hard to judge as I don't use it without the charger very often).

I do the same with my MacBook Pro from 2012 and according to coconut battery, my battery is still at 93,6 % on 469 cycles (out of approx. 1000)